NewzIntel.com

Category: MIL-OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Heinrich Secure Hermit’s Peak Claims Office Extension in Continuing Resolution

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after securing an extension to the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office as part of the Continuing Resolution:
    “Today, we voted for a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open and avoid a costly shutdown for millions of Americans. As part of this Continuing Resolution, the period to file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office has been extended to December 20, 2024, which will give victims of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire additional time to apply for relief.
    “But make no mistake, the job is not over yet. We will continue to work with our colleagues to deliver a long-term federal funding solution for the American people and keep the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office open longer. We continue to encourage New Mexicans to apply for assistance as soon as possible.”
    The extension will run the length of the Continuing Resolution to December 20, 2024. In October 2023, Luján, Heinrich, and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation that would extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office. Since the devastating wildfire, Luján, Heinrich, and the N.M. Delegation has delivered a total of $3.95 billion in federal funding for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire recovery.
    New Mexicans can apply for assistance through the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Closer China-ASEAN cooperation boosts regional high-quality development

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    NANNING, China, Sept. 25 — Visitors arriving at this year’s China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) will encounter an intriguing blend of fresh innovations and familiar attractions. A new section spotlights emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and lithium batteries, while longstanding crowd favorites, like durian, longan, and rice, continue to draw attention.

    This evolving landscape mirrors the deepening partnership between China and ASEAN. China’s commitment to expanding high-standard opening-up and the rapid industry upgrading in ASEAN nations has fostered stronger economic ties between the two sides. Together, these efforts drive regional high-quality development while sharing China’s development opportunities with ASEAN.

    EMPOWERING ASEAN SMES

    Stepping into the Thai Pavilion at CAEXPO, visitors are greeted by the distinct aroma of durian mingling with the herbal scent of Zam-buk, a popular Thai remedy for insect bites. A booth showcasing the collaboration between TOPTHAI and China’s e-commerce leader, JD.com, drew significant interest.

    TOPTHAI store on leading e-commerce platforms is an initiative launched by the Thai Department of International Trade Promotion this year. It aims to help Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expose their products to more overseas markets, among which the Chinese market is a crucial destination, said Dr. Nisachol Thaithong, a Thai trader and researcher in China-Thailand cross-border e-commerce.

    For SMEs and small-scale farmers in ASEAN countries, participating in e-commerce with China has transformed their businesses.

    “It (CAEXPO) is moving forward dynamically in terms of the more areas of cooperation, in terms of engaging wider stakeholders,” said Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of ASEAN, in an interview on the sideline of CAEXPO and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS). “Now they are involved in the Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), for example. MSMEs are really the backbone of the economy on both sides. We have to get them involved, in addition to the big cooperations. I think this is the right direction that we are taking.”

    Frequent exchanges between China and Malaysia leadership have set a positive tone for SMEs, said Ravenna Chen, the CEO of TusStar Malaysia, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform.

    Huang Aimin, chairman of the first council of the Guangxi Cross-border E-Commerce Association, said cross-border e-commerce has the potential to be a critical platform for promoting in-depth economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN.

    Collaborating with China has sped up modernization in Laos. For instance, working with China to digitize businesses and develop e-commerce skills has been advantageous for both businesses and young individuals in Laos, according to Thanongsinh Kanlaya, Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

    UPGRADING AGRIBUSINESS

    At a durian orchard in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province, Kosai, the 32-year-old owner and a Chinese social media influencer, was promoting durians to Chinese netizens through the live streaming e-commerce platform Tmall.

    Kosai is proud that his orchard is a smart orchard jointly built by the Commercial Association for Sustainability of Agriculture in Thailand and the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center of China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

    The Internet of Things installed by the Chinese side in Kosai’s orchard, which includes meteorological, water level, and soil moisture monitoring, could provide data support for the scientific cultivation of durian and the improvement of fruit quality.

    Modern farming is a sector with a promising future for cooperation between Malaysia and China, said Low Kian Chuan, president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia.

    Despite the difference in size and population between Brunei and China, CAEXPO and CABIS have offered a platform for Brunei enterprises to conduct win-win cooperation with Chinese peers, said National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam President Haji Abdul Saman bin Haji Ahmad.

    Platforms like CAEXPO and CABIS incentivize Brunei SMEs to grow “more resilient and more proactive” by exposing their products and services to the Chinese market, said Saman, adding that he sees particularly promising opportunities for Brunei’s halal food.

    GREEN TRANSITION

    Leading Chinese renewable energy firms are working closely with ASEAN enterprises and investing in new facilities to produce innovative, locally adapted products, thus actively contributing to ASEAN’s green transition.

    In July, BYD opened an electric vehicle plant in Thailand, the automaker’s first Southeast Asian factory, a fast-growing regional EV market. The same month Eve Energy announced a plan to build a new factory in Kulim, Kedah state, Malaysia to meet the fast-growing demand for energy storage and consumer batteries in the South East Asia region.

    In August, Gotion High-tech announced that a battery assembly plant project in Malaysia is under negotiation, in addition to its assembly plants in Indonesia and Thailand. The battery manufacturer’s Vietnam factory is expected to begin production in October this year.

    Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link under the Belt and Road Initiative is expected to drive economic development in the east coast areas and promote more balanced development among regions within the countries, said Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the minister of transport of Malaysia.

    As outlined in the National Automotive Policy 2020 and National Energy Transition Roadmap, Malaysia is developing its renewable energy battery sector and welcomes leading battery manufacturers to invest in it, said Loke.

    Malaysia encourages Chinese companies to form partnerships with local companies to further promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in Malaysia, not only in terms of car manufacturing but also in the entire ecosystem, from charging networks to battery manufacturing, said Zalina Zainol, deputy chief executive officer of investment development at Malaysian Investment Development Authority.

    Malaysia highly encourages such cooperation to further create high-skilled jobs in engineering, research and development, and advanced manufacturing, thereby boosting economic growth here, Zainol added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, U.S. agree to maintain communication on law enforcement

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China, U.S. agree to maintain communication on law enforcement

    BEIJING, Sept. 25 — Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong had candid, professional and pragmatic exchanges with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas via video link on Wednesday.

    Wang said that the two sides earnestly implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, adhere to mutual respect, dispute management and mutually beneficial cooperation, and have achieved many visible outcomes in areas such as drug control, repatriation of illegal immigrants and cooperation on individual cases.

    China is willing to maintain communication with the U.S. at all levels, and push for steady and long-term law enforcement cooperation between the two countries. The U.S. side should attach importance to addressing China’s concerns, demonstrate sincerity with concrete actions, and remove obstacles for deepening cooperation, Wang noted.

    The two sides agreed to stay in communication on important issues in the field of law enforcement.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chang’e-6 lunar samples to be displayed at 15th Airshow China

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Sept. 25 — Lunar samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the far side of the moon will be on display at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced Wednesday.

    The Chang’e-6 return capsule will also be showcased, allowing the public to witness the advancements of China’s space industry, said Li Yang, an official with the agency.

    The airshow is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in Zhuhai, a city in south China’s Guangdong Province, and will feature various types of aircraft and carrier rockets.

    According to Hao Changfeng, spokesperson for China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the company will present nearly 200 high-tech products, including first-time exhibits such as the Chang’e-6 probe and the Long March-8A carrier rocket. “About 150 items will be debuting, with new exhibits making up 75 percent of the display,” said Hao.

    Wu Jiwei, spokesperson for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, announced that the company will showcase more than 260 products, emphasizing advancements in new quality productive forces.

    Since its inception in 1996, Airshow China has become an important window for showcasing advanced aviation and aerospace technologies and equipment from home and abroad. It has also become an international platform for promoting business cooperation in aviation and aerospace technologies and equipment.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: World Maritime Day 2024

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Australia is proud to join with the International Maritime Organization today in celebrating World Maritime Day 2024.

    This year’s theme, ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First!’, highlights the vital role of new technology and innovation in enhancing safety, security and environmental protection in the global maritime sector.

    With 99% of our international trade transported by sea, Australia is one of the countries most reliant on shipping.

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention. 

    The anniversary of this important set of safety standards highlights that our collective end goal is always safety.

    I am delighted to share that Australia has selected this significant day to announce its candidacy for re-election to Category B of the IMO Council for the 2026-27 biennium.

    Australia remains committed to working at the International Maritime Organization to develop and implement the highest safety standards, support a competitive and efficient global shipping industry and minimize the environmental impact of shipping on our precious marine ecosystems.

    In celebration of World Maritime Day, the IMO invites nations to illuminate prominent landmarks in blue. This evening, Australia House in London and lighthouses along our coastline will be lit in blue to mark the occasion.

    Learn more about Australia’s role on the Category b council.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Roundup: September 20, 2024

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency: 

    • Today, the FDA and NIH announced “Advancing Smoking Cessation: FDA and NIH Priorities” – a joint public meeting focused on advancing innovation of smoking cessation products to help both adults and youth. The meeting will be held October 21, 2024, and will feature presentations and panel discussions on several smoking cessation-focused topics, as well as an opportunity for public comment on several topics related to cessation.
    • On Thursday, the FDA approved Zenrelia (ilunocitinib tablets), a new animal drug used to control pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and to control atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) in dogs at least 1 year of age.

      Zenrelia is safe and effective when used according to the label. However, the product labeling carries a boxed warning stating that dogs should not be vaccinated at least 28 days before and after treatment with Zenrelia, due to the risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease and inadequate immune response to vaccines.

    • On Thursday, the FDA approved Rybrevant (amivantamab-vmjw) with carboplatin and pemetrexed for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations whose disease has progressed on or after treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Full prescribing information for Rybrevant will be posted on Drugs@FDA. 
    • On Wednesday, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine announced that it is supporting a collaborative agreement to the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA to conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. This SWOT analysis aims to research the challenges within, and unmet needs of, the animal health, animal food and veterinary industries, and explain the economic impact of these gaps.
    • On Wednesday, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine announced the establishment of four Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers (AVICs) and recipients of funding for work to advance regulatory science and further development of innovative products and approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions. These AVICs further the goals outlined in the FDA’s Animal and Veterinary Innovation Agenda (AVIA), which describes the agency’s plans to spur innovation to better protect human and animal health. The three areas of concentration for the AVICs focus on:
      • Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and emerging zoonotic disease threats or One Health issues; 
      • Intentional genomic alternations (IGAs) in animals and the advancement of regulatory science in this field, with a focus on IGAs that support agricultural resilience, food security, animal health, or public health; and 
      • Unmet veterinary medical needs in both minor and major species that create a significant animal or public health burden.
    • On Wednesday, the FDA updated the outbreak advisory, Investigation of Illnesses: Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gummies to include additional cases.
    • On Tuesday, the FDA approved Kisqali (ribociclib) with an aromatase inhibitor for the adjuvant treatment of adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative stage II and III early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. Additionally, the FDA also approved the Kisqali Femara Co-Pack (ribociclib and letrozole co-pack,) for the same indication. Full prescribing information for Kisqali and Kisqali Femara Co-Pack will be posted on Drugs@FDA. 
    • On Tuesday, the FDA approved Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy as first-line treatment of unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Full prescribing information for Keytruda will be posted on Drugs@FDA.

    Related Information

    Related Information

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    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government continues to hold supermarkets to account

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The second Albanese Government initiated CHOICE quarterly report into supermarket prices has been released today, giving consumers facts about where to get cheaper prices.

    Funded for three years by the Albanese Labor Government, the CHOICE report gives Australians accurate data on how to get the cheapest groceries.

    To compile the report CHOICE visited 104 stores across Australia including Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and IGA.

    The report has found that Aldi once again had the cheapest basket of goods, with the price of CHOICE’s basket falling from the previous quarter.

    The Albanese Government is taking a range of actions to make sure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian suppliers are getting a fair price for their goods.

    This follows the ACCC announcing legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.

    This week the Albanese Government also released the Draft mandatory Food and Grocery Code for Consultation which will mean supermarkets could face significant penalties if found to be breaching the Code.

    Other actions the Government is taking includes:

    • Commissioning the ACCC to investigate competition in the supermarket sector to get better prices for shoppers
    • Making the Food and Grocery Code mandatory. We released the exposure draft for consultation this week. We will introduce legislation this year. This will see big supermarkets subject to multi‑million‑dollar penalties for serious breaches
    • Funding CHOICE reports for another three years, with the next due in December 2024, in time for Christmas
    • Progressing the most significant merger reforms in Australia in almost 50 years
    • Working with the states and territories to revitalise National Competition Policy

    Background

    The average basket price for Aldi, Woolworths, Coles and IGA nation‑wide was:

    • Aldi: $50.79 (with and without specials)
    • Woolworths: $68.70 (without specials), $68.37 (with specials)
    • Coles: $69.91 (without specials), $66.22 (with specials)
    • IGA: $78.95 (with specials)

    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP:

    “We know Australians are under pressure and we’re working every day to help.

    “Our cost of living help is about getting wages up for workers, bringing costs down for households and getting inflation back to where it should be.

    “We are doing everything we can to ensure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian farmers are getting a fair price for their goods.

    “Today’s CHOICE report provides important information to consumers, but we know there is more to do and we are committed to taking action to make sure Australians are getting the best deal possible.”

    Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Competition, Andrew Leigh MP

    “The Government’s economic plan is all about easing the cost of living for Australians.

    “CHOICE’s team of shadow shoppers are helping Australians get the best deal at the checkout. With many consumers feeling the pinch, these results provide hard evidence on prices across the nation.

    “The Australian Government is committed to delivering the information that will help shoppers save money and deliver more supermarket competition.

    “We want a supermarket sector that’s fairer for farmers, and fairer for families.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arrington Statement on Government Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement in response to House passage of H.R. 9747, which funds the government until December 20th:

    “The American people gave us a Republican majority in the House with the expectation we would use the power of the purse to hold Democrats accountable and change the trajectory of our country by addressing the imminent threats of our wide-open border, unbridled spending, and unchecked election fraud. It is deeply disappointing to have missed these important opportunities and fallen short on our commitments.  

    “After a final effort to pair the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act with government funding – pressuring Senate Democrats to prevent illegal immigrants from voting or at least put them on record for refusing to do so – the measure failed with only three Democrats in support and fourteen Republicans in opposition. 

    “Now, we are forced to make a choice. We can either allow a government shutdown with nothing to show for it, which will undoubtedly be blamed on Republicans, adversely affect President Trump’s electoral success, and open us up to being jammed by the Senate with a bigger spending package; or, we can freeze spending and push back the final funding decision to December when President-elect Trump gives us a better chance to secure the border, safeguard our elections, and stop the reckless spending.  

    “That’s why I’m choosing to provide President Trump with the runway he needs over the next 40 days to secure victory in November, help us get a much better deal in December, and fight to Make America Great Again over the next four years.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Castor, House Democrats Prevent FOURTH MAGA Republican Shutdown Threat Since Start of GOP Majority

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after voting to pass legislation to avoid a MAGA government shutdown and extend current government funding through December 20, 2024:

    “Today, House Democrats stepped in to provide the votes needed to avoid a government shutdown after extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress refused to pass a budget.

    “This is no way to govern, but the last thing Florida families need is a government shutdown as Floridians prepare for Hurricane Helene and its difficult aftermath. I’m disappointed that 11 of my Republican colleagues from Florida were among the 82 Republicans who voted against the government in the face of a natural disaster. MAGA Republicans have exploited each funding deadline to play political games and force their radical Project 2025 policies on Americans while American families’ livelihoods hang in the balance.

    “House Democrats stand ready to work with Republicans to pass appropriations bills that reflect the bipartisan framework they committed to, and that lower costs, grow the middle class and protect our freedoms.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Ami Bera Votes for Bipartisan Continuing Resolution to Avert Government Shutdown, Fund Federal Government Through December 20

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

    Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) released a statement after voting to pass a bipartisan continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and fund the government through December 20th. The legislation passed by a vote of 341-82 on the House floor.

    “This afternoon, I joined a strong bipartisan majority of my colleagues to ensure that our government remains open to serve the American people.

    “While today’s vote provides critical funding to the Secret Service, ensuring the agency has the necessary resources to safeguard our political process, and supports veterans’ programs and other essential services, governing from continuing resolution to continuing resolution is no way to operate Congress.

    “Despite dysfunctional House Republican leadership, I will continue working with responsible lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass a full budget that addresses our nation’s most-pressing challenges and provides stability for families, businesses, and communities.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Womack Votes to Avoid a Costly Government Shutdown and Bolster Secret Service Protective Operations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3)

    Womack Votes to Avoid a Costly Government Shutdown and Bolster Secret Service Protective Operations

    Washington, September 25, 2024

    Washington, D.C.—September 25, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after voting for the continuing resolution (CR), H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today:

    Congressman Womack said, “Continuing resolutions are the sad reality of our broken budget process, something I’ve worked tirelessly to reform throughout my time in Congress. However, they’re better than the alternative – a government shutdown. Our national security is at grave risk when the government ceases operations. Hardworking taxpayers would pay the steep price, and programs Americans desperately rely on would come to a screeching halt. Further perpetuating dysfunction in the legislative process is the last thing the American people need. When Congress returns to Washington in November, we must get our act together and fulfill our most fundamental duty of passing fiscally responsible full-year appropriations.”

    Bill Summary:

    • Continues government funding at current levels through December 20, 2024, or the enactment of an applicable full-year appropriations act, whichever occurs first.
    • Allows for necessary payments to the District of Columbia for planning and security for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, to the General Services Administration for support of the presidential transition, to the National Archives and Records Administration for record keeping of the presidential transition, and to the National Park Service for planning and security for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration.
    • Provides an additional $231 million for the Secret Service for protective operations for presidential and vice-presidential nominees in the 2024 campaign and activities related to National Special Security Events and provides the agency with flexibility to quickly obligate funds for protective operations. This additional money will be subject to existing funding caps, rejecting Democrats’ efforts to designate it as emergency spending.
    • Extends the National Flood Insurance Program through the duration of the CR.
    • Allows the Department of Health and Human Services to continue providing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits during the duration of the CR.
    • Extends programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure our veterans continue to receive the care and benefits they have earned.
    • Extends expiring health care programs, including priority review vouchers for rare pediatric diseases, autism support activities, and Medicaid funding for the Northern Mariana Islands. The package is fully offset with a one-year delay to a scheduled change in Medicare payments to clinical laboratories.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Readout of President Joe  Biden’s Meeting with General Secretary Tô Lâm of  Vietnam

    Source: The White House

    President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with General Secretary Tô Lâm of Vietnam in New York. President Biden celebrated the one-year milestone of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reinforced the United States’ commitment to a strong, prosperous, resilient, and independent Vietnam. Both leaders reflected on the lasting legacy of the late General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and his indelible mark on the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship.

    The two leaders underscored our joint commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and expressed enthusiasm for bringing momentum into its second year – especially as we prepare to mark important bilateral milestones in 2025,including 50 years since the end of the war in Vietnam and 30 years since the normalization of ties.

    President Biden raised opportunities to advance cooperation on a range of  economic, technology, security, and diplomatic issues. President Biden underscored the important work under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework; progress in our cooperation on cybersecurity including for undersea cables, next steps toward building secure and resilient semiconductor supply chains and strengthening our technology partnership. The two leaders discussed the importance of working together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, and combatting environmental and non-traditional security challenges across the Mekong sub-region. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific – especially in the South China Sea. President Biden also emphasized the United States’ commitment to ASEAN centrality and respect for human rights.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Statement from President Joe  Biden on Passage of the Continuing  Resolution

    Source: The White House

    Tonight, bipartisan majorities in both chambers of Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the government open through mid-December. I want to thank both houses of Congress—especially Senators Murray and Collins and Representatives Cole and DeLauro—for this bipartisan agreement and for avoiding a costly government shutdown. The passage of this bill gives Congress more time to pass full-year funding bills by the end of this year. My Administration will work with Congress to ensure these bills deliver for America’s national defense, veterans, seniors, children, and working families, and address urgent needs for the American people, including communities recovering from disasters. And while the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the resources it currently needs to continue its successful efforts to ensure that the wealthy and large corporations pay the taxes they owe, my Administration will oppose any cuts or restrictions that would increase the deficit by limiting the IRS’s ability to crack down on wealthy tax cheats.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting on the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection | New York,  NY

    Source: The White House

    On behalf of President Biden, I want to thank each of you for being here today. 

    The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection embodies our shared values and our commitment to work together to elevate the welfare and security of our entire hemisphere. As I listened to each of your remarks, I reflected on how much we have accomplished since your leaders joined President Biden on the podium in Los Angeles a little more than two years ago. 

    We have taken key actions to disrupt the smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants through coordinated enforcement efforts.

    We have expanded lawful pathways as an alternative to the risks inherent in irregular migration.

    And collectively, we have fostered the long-term stabilization and integration of migrants.

    I will provide some details to illustrate more vividly what we have done on each of these three pillars of the Los Angeles Declaration.

    Enforcement

    Together, we are using our immigration and law enforcement tools to deter irregular migration and disrupt transnational criminal organizations that put migrants’ lives at risk for profit.

    We are encouraged by how many countries have taken concrete actions to increase enforcement, including by putting in place strong visa requirements and increasing information sharing. We know this is a challenge that can only be met if we work together.

    And we have:

    • Adopted new rules and processes to strengthen the consequences in place at our border, including refined procedures announced by President Biden on June 4.
    • Increased biometric information sharing across the region to identify bad actors before they enter any of our borders;
    • Imposed visa restrictions and financial sanctions, and prosecuted human smugglers;

    So many of these efforts have been done in close coordination with all of you. 

    Lawful Pathways

    The Biden-Harris Administration has also expanded lawful pathways to encourage migrants to apply to come to the United States from their home countries rather than making the dangerous journey to our border.

    That is why we launched the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan parole process – with notable results.

    We are also on track to welcome the largest number of refugees in three decades. This would not have been possible without the Safe Mobility Initiative and our partnership with Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador.

    As part of today’s funding announcement, we are providing an additional $83 million to help resettle more refugees and refer migrants to additional pathways as well, including temporary labor opportunities in the United States and other countries.

    Stabilization and Integration

    And finally, I want to join Secretary Blinken in applauding the pioneering and generous policies that are enabling the stabilization and integration of migrants.

    This is a story that I think will be told for years to come: how Latin America rallied together in the face of the historic displacement of 8 million people from Venezuela and rose up to become a model for the world of how to respond to this kind of mass migration with pragmatism and humanity.

    We applaud so many of the countries represented here for opening your doors to displaced migrants and giving them hope for their future, enabling them to obtain formal employment, access basic social services, and put their kids in school.

    With today’s announcements, over half of the Los Angeles Declaration countries have implemented migrant regularization policies, collectively providing legal status to 4.4 million mostly Venezuelan migrants.

    The United States is proud to support these efforts. As part of today’s $686 million funding announcement by Secretary of State Blinken, the United States will assist partner countries as you implement regularization programs and successfully integrate newcomers. In addition, we will continue to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to help the most vulnerable Venezuelans, both inside Venezuela and throughout the region.

    Closing

    For President Biden, the Los Angeles Declaration was never just a piece of paper that each country signed; it was a call to action.

    And I am confident that with our continued commitment to the Declaration, including the establishment of an enduring Secretariat with Colombia as our first Country Chair, we will continue showing the world that regional collaboration can effectively and humanely address the migratory challenges that we face in our Hemisphere.    

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Readout of President  Biden’s Pull Aside with President Zelenskyy of  Ukraine

    Source: The White House

    President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. President Biden informed President Zelenskyy that he has directed a surge in U.S. security assistance to Ukraine, which will be announced publicly tomorrow, and which will help Ukraine win. President Zelenskyy previewed for President Biden his plan for victory. The two leaders will discuss this plan further during their upcoming bilateral meeting at the White House.

    Following their meeting in New York, President Biden convened a historic event in support of Ukraine at which the leaders of more than 30 countries agreed to sign a Joint Declaration of Support for the Recovery and Reconstruction of Ukraine.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio Statement on Democrats Funding the Government, Avoiding Shutdown

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) released the following statement after he joined with all House Democrats and 132 Republicans in voting to pass a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through December 20, 2024. 

    “Today, House Democrats once again stood united above the fray and showed the country that we are the party of governance in the House of Representatives. I’m proud today that I voted to keep our troops paid, critical safety inspections on schedule, federal agencies running, and so much else through the end of the year. The Republican majority never should have taken us—yet again—to the brink of government shutdown. 

    “Funding the government is one of Congress’ basic tasks, and it is disappointing (but not at all surprising) to see 82 of my Republican colleagues shirk their duty in favor of playing political games with our government. 

    “I will always put the people of Western Pennsylvania and our country first.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Finstad Releases Statement Regarding Opposition to Continuing Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) released the following statement after today’s vote on H.R. 9747, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025:

    “Today, I voted against the continuing resolution because it is past time that we bring an end to this pattern of out-of-control government spending,” said Rep. Finstad. “This short-term extension is irresponsible and does not represent what the American people sent us here to do.”

    “Though the government will remain functioning for the time being, the only way to ensure long-term stability is through an appropriations process that returns fiscal sanity to Washington. We owe it to the American people to stop kicking the can down the road and get this reckless spending under control.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bice Votes in Favor of Continuing Resolution to Avoid a Government Shutdown

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05)

    September 25, 2024

    Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 20th

    Congresswoman Bice issued the following statement:

    “While this CR is imperfect and not what I preferred, it was the only option left. I could not in good conscience vote to shut the government down, which would have damaging effects on our community, our military, and our border patrol agents.

    “The true disservice is that Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats refuse to bring any meaningful piece of legislation for a vote. The House has passed numerous appropriations bills, encompassing over 70% of government funding, while also working to secure our border and our elections. The Senate has done nothing but Judicial nominations.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English]

    Source: United Nations – English

    adam President, Excellencies,

    Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

    As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation. 

    Lebanon is at the brink. 

    Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years. 

    But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

    Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

    The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701. 

    The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory.  We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    Madam President,

    Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

    Many lives have been lost.

    All this must stop.

    The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

    Madam President,

    Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

    The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

    Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation. 

    The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

    Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

    Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

    Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women.  Over 1,800 people were injured.

    Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October.

    Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

    Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

    Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

    Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

    The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

    At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

    Madam President,

    The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

    According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured. 

    Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

    Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.  

    The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Les efforts diplomatiques se sont intensifiés afin de parvenir à un cessez-le-feu temporaire – permettant l’acheminement de l’aide humanitaire et ouvrant la voie au rétablissement d’une paix plus durable. 

    Nous soutenons pleinement ces efforts. 

    En début de semaine, la coordinatrice spéciale de l’ONU pour le Liban, Mme Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, s’est rendue en Israël pour des consultations, insistant sur le fait qu’une escalade militaire n’était pas dans l’intérêt de personne.  

    Le Chef de mission et Commandant de la Force intérimaire des Nations unies au Liban – la FINUL – le Général Aroldo Lazaro, est resté en contact étroit avec les parties, soutenant l’accès humanitaire partout où cela est possible et continuant d’appeler à une désescalade immédiate.

    Malgré les conditions dangereuses, nos soldats de la paix restent en poste.

    Afin de réduire les risques pour le personnel de la mission, la plupart du personnel civil a été temporairement transféré au nord du fleuve Litani.

    Quelques membres essentiels du personnel restent dans la zone d’opérations de la mission, en compagnie de nos Casques bleus.

    Je tiens à réaffirmer notre profonde reconnaissance envers nos agents de la paix – civils et militaires – qui servent le long de la Ligne bleue, ainsi qu’à l’ensemble de tous les pays contributeurs de troupes.

    Madam President,

    I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire. 

    The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Civilians must be protected. 

    Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. 

    The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured. 

    International law must be respected. 

    To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

    Stop the killing and destruction.

    Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

    Step back from the brink.

    An all-out war must be avoided at all costs.  It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.  

    The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

    And I thank you. 

    ***
    [all-English]

    Madam President, Excellencies,

    Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

    As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation. 

    Lebanon is at the brink. 

    Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years. 
    But since October, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth, and intensity.

    Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis – with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

    The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701. 

    The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory.  We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    Madam President,

    Since October, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes.

    Many lives have been lost.

    All this must stop.

    The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

    Madam President,

    Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September – in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon – hostilities have escalated dramatically.

    The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

    Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation. 

    The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets.

    Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured.

    Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

    Hizbullah targets. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women.  Over 1,800 people were injured.

    Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October. 

    Two colleagues from UNHCR were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

    Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200.

    Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety.

    Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

    The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the northwest, with 30,000 people in shelters.

    At least $170 million are needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs.

    Madam President,

    The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

    According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured. 

    Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

    Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.  

    The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

    Madam President,

    Diplomatic efforts have intensified to achieve a temporary ceasefire – allowing for delivery of humanitarian relief and paving the way for the resumption of more durable peace. 

    We fully support these efforts. 

    Earlier this week, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon –
    Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert – travelled to Israel for consultations, underscoring that military escalation is in no one’s interest.   

    The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL – General Aroldo Lazaro – has continued his close engagement with the parties, supporting humanitarian access wherever possible and continuing to urge immediate de-escalation.

    Despite the dangerous conditions, our peacekeepers remain in position.

    To mitigate the risk to mission personnel, most civilian personnel have temporarily relocated north of the Litani River.

    A few critical staff members remain in the mission’s area of operations, together with the Blue Helmets.

    I want to reiterate our sincere gratitude to our peacekeepers – civilian and military – who serve along the Blue Line, as well as to all the troop-contributing-countries.

    Madam President,

    I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire. 

    The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701.

    Civilians must be protected. 

    Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. 

    The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured. 

    International law must be respected. 

    To all sides, let us say in one clear voice:

    Stop the killing and destruction.

    Tone down the rhetoric and threats.

    Step back from the brink.

    An all-out war must be avoided at all costs.  It would surely be an all-out catastrophe.  

    The people of Lebanon – as well as the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

    And I thank you. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Are CO streams an appropriate response to student heterogeneity?

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Geneva in French

    In Geneva, the management of student heterogeneity in secondary education I is reflected in the establishment of streams. At the end of primary education, students are directed into three distinct sections based on their performance.

    The justification for this organizational choice is based on the idea of more effective targeting of teaching that should lead to better learning. However, the results of the national COFO survey and the cantonal fundamental expectations tests (TAF) repeatedly show particularly weak performance in the least demanding groupings, including with regard to the acquisition of basic skills. The literature has shown that due to differences in teaching, separate systems organized into streams are of little benefit to students in difficulty. Placement in a low-level group can also have harmful effects on other dimensions that interact with academic skills and influence success. Thus, certain motivational and metacognitive skills of students such as the feeling of competence or interest in learning can be degraded.

    This SRED study, conducted during the orientation cycle, illustrates the mechanisms at work based on data collected from a large sample of 11th grade students, classes and teachers (2,700 students, 150 classes and 160 teachers). The separation into streams results in particular in lower learning opportunities and expectations in Mathematics and French for students in the least demanding streams. On the other hand, the teaching they receive differs little from the point of view of classroom practices. Multilevel analyses demonstrate that at a comparable initial level, learning opportunities and expectations have an effect on students’ final performance, as do certain practices such as the pace of lessons, the structuring of teaching and differentiation.

    Analyzing education

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman McCaul’s Resolution Brings Accountability for Failures During Afghanistan Withdrawal

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-226-8467

    Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul delivered remarks on the House floor to ensure that 15 Biden-Harris administration officials are held accountable for their dereliction of duty resulting in the deadly Afghanistan withdrawal. This historic condemnation passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support – including ten Democrats – in a vote of 219 to 194.

    WATCH HERE

    – Remarks as Delivered –

    Mr. Speaker, I want to say to my good friend I have tremendous respect [for you], we work together on many things, [we are] bipartisan. And when we don’t agree, we do so civilly. However, I cannot disagree more with you than I do today.

    One of the byproducts of Bagram [Airbase] falling, 7,000 ISIS [terrorists] were released from the Bagram prisons. Some of those have found their way into the United States.

    What happened in Afghanistan is a tragedy. And one of the worst foreign policy failures in our nation’s history.

    Who could ever forget the harrowing images of Afghans falling off the plans and babies being flung over barbed wire in a desperate attempt by mothers to save their children and escape Afghanistan under Taliban rule?

    The women, that Mr. Wilson referred to, [were] left behind along with American citizens.

    Women [are] now under slavery under the Taliban’s Sharia Law.

    We are the United States of America. You can’t tell me we couldn’t have safely evacuated U.S. personnel, Americans, and our brave Afghan allies.

    My report shows the administration had the information and opportunity to do so. But at every step of the way, they chose political optics over the safety of Americans.

    Their deadly and chaotic withdrawal started a chain of events that have led to a world on fire.

    We are witnessing the largest land invasion in Europe since WWII with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The CCP has become emboldened and more belligerent in their aggression towards Taiwan. And there is a war raging in the Middle East, Mr. Speaker, with the Ayatollah now rearing his ugly head. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened by design with the fall of Afghanistan.

    When you project weakness on the world stage, this is what you get: a world on fire, inviting aggression from our adversaries.

    Our U.S. national security is degraded, America’s credibility on the world stage is damaged, and the moral injury to the American veterans and servicemembers is a stain, an ugly stain on this administration’s legacy.

    I want to close, Mr. Speaker, with a reminder of the consequences of the actions of those named in this resolution. And it is the 13 heroic U.S. servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’ve met with their loved ones, and they live [in] pain every single day, and they wake up to it every single day.

    These servicemembers who paid with their lives because of this administration’s failure on August 26, 2021. And I for one, in this chamber, in this House say I’m sorry for what your government did to you. And in their honor, I want to read their names.

    • Marine Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza
    • Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee
    • Marine Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover
    • Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Christian Knauss
    • Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez
    • Marine Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum
    • Marine Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola
    • Marine Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui
    • Marine Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo
    • Marine Corporal Humberto Sanchez
    • Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz
    • Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak
    • Marine Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page

    Nothing will bring their lives back. Nothing will bring [the] children of these parents back, but we can hold those responsible, and accountable and that’s what this resolution does.

    And I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield the balance of my time.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Contract signed to build new Police boat for Auckland

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police has announced the signing of a contract to begin the construction of a new Police boat – Deodar IV – with the build phase expected to begin in January 2025.

    The arrival of Deodar IV has come a step closer with the finished boat anticipated to be ready for sea trials in December 2026.

    Deodar III – Deodar IV’s predecessor – has been patrolling the Hauraki Gulf and coastline since 2007 and at nearly 17 years old is requiring increasing maintenance and repairs to keep the boat seaworthy.

    Deodar III was deployed for the likes of Whakaari/White Island after the 2019 eruption, supporting inter-agency operations, acting as a platform for the Police National Dive Squad and as a primary evacuation vessel in body recovery.

    Office in Charge of Auckland Maritime Unit, Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen says Deodar III has served Police well but has nearly reached its end of life, so it’s time for a new vessel.

    “Like Deodar III, the new vessel will be designed for stability, reliability and flexibility in a vast range of tasks, from attending crime scenes and apprehending offenders to search and rescue, medical emergencies, supporting public events, promoting water safety and facilitating training.”

    Deodar IV will be a like-for-like replacement – the same overall size at 18.7m long and with the same sleek marine-grade aluminium catamaran design as Deodar III.

    “The new boat will feature improvements to make it more fit for purpose, including an extended wheelhouse which provides more space and better visibility.

    “This will be especially helpful when responding to search and rescue jobs.

    “The medical bay and prisoner transport area have also been modified to suit the needs of those spaces, and we are pleased there will be carbon emission reduction features.”

    Senior Sergeant Larsen says Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and coastline is a big beat to cover.

    “It’s vital that we get the design of the boat right and ensure that it’s fit for the diverse and demanding job it will be doing.”

    Funding for the new Deodar IV was approved in December 2022, and was confirmed in Budget 24, alongside provision to cover the continued maintenance of Lady Liz IV.

    The successful tenderer, announced last year, was Whanganui-based Q-West which built Deodar III, the Wellington Police launch Lady Liz IV, and Customs boat Hawk V. Teknicraft Design Ltd, of Beachlands, Auckland, is designing the boat.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Trade – UAE trade deal good news for Kiwi farmers – Federated Farmers

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers are welcoming news of a new free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates as an exciting and positive step forward for New Zealand.
    “This is great news for Kiwi farmers who have been doing it pretty tough lately with high costs and squeezed profit margins,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
    “As a country we earn a living producing high quality food and fibre and selling it to the rest of the world, but we’re currently operating in a tough international environment.
    “Farmers will gladly welcome any moves to reduce our costs, grow our incomes, or increase our competitiveness in the global marketplace.”
    The United Arab Emirates is a top 20 export market for New Zealand, and one of our largest markets in the Middle East.
    “The Middle East presents an exciting opportunity for Kiwi exporters as a wealthy and growing market with huge potential,” Langford says.
    “This agreement will take millions of dollars that would have been charged in tariffs and pump them directly into our rural communities.
    “It’s great to see the Government delivering on their commitment to open up new markets, reduce tariffs, and give our exporters options.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: World Vision – New report reveals ‘distress migration’ on the rise as children and families in Southeast Asia leave their homes due to climate change

    Source: World Vision

    • ‘Distress migration’ is becoming more common as children and families flee their homes due to climate change
    • There are up to 2.5 million migrant children in Thailand living without domestic legal status
    • Migrating children, especially girls, are at risk of exploitation and abuse
    • Climate change has been identified as the root cause of issues facing migrants including hunger, missing school, and anxiety over mounting debts
    • Northern Viet Nam identified as a likely climate out-migration “hotspot” by 2050.

    A new report from World Vision reveals how the escalating climate crisis is disproportionately affecting children across Southeast Asia and causing children and families to flee their homes.
     
    The report, Climate Change, Vulnerability, and Migration: Impacts on Children and Youth in Southeast Asia, paints a harrowing picture of climate-induced migration and its impact on the region’s most at-risk children.
     
    Drawing on nearly 100 first-hand accounts from child migrants, children who stayed behind, parents, and caregivers, along with insights from local leaders and experts, the report documents the severe repercussions of climate change.
     
    Dr. Olivia Yates, World Vision’s Advocacy Policy & Research Advisor, International Partnerships, says the report highlights the urgent need to protect the rights and interests of young migrants in Southeast Asia.
     
    “The climate crisis is one of the greatest forces shaping our world – both present and future. None of us are immune to this fact, however, the reality is most acutely felt by those families already living precariously close to the edge, just one drought or flood away from the tipping point.
     
    “As climate change worsens, driving increasing migration, it’s vital that we safeguard the rights of children who are particularly at risk. Their health, education, livelihoods and economic prospects are all at stake. We must support these children and do what we can to help prevent their exposure to exploitation and abuse.”
     
    The findings of the report offer a stark portrayal of the way in which climate change is deepening poverty, deprivation, and debt that force families to leave their homes. Daily struggles include hunger due to low crop yields or crop failures, missed schooling as children face increased responsibilities, and mounting anxiety over financial instability caused by a lack of stable work.
     
    Many parents view migration as a long-term investment in their children’s future. Other economically insecure households are selling their land to pay off debts and even cover the costs of migration.
     
    Every year in Southeast Asia, countless families choose to migrate with their children, and many children also migrate on their own.
     
    According to the latest figures, there were about 1.27 million international child migrants in the region as of 2020 – about 40% in Thailand. However, given the high prevalence of irregular migration, the number of migrant children in Thailand living without domestic legal status has been estimated be between 1 – 2.5 million.
     
    Terry Ferrari, World Vision International’s Regional Leader for East Asia says the emotional impact of forced migration on children is huge.
     
    “Children told us they feel sad, isolated and miss their family and friends. Moreover, the disruption to their education, exposure to hazardous working conditions, and other factors could have long-term consequences for children’s personal development and future opportunities,” Ferrari says.
     
    Ferarri adds that many children are also left behind when their parents migrate because many migration settings that focus on employment do not allow migrants to bring their dependents.
     
    The interviews revealed profound emotional impacts on children left behind, particularly when the mother migrated. Caregivers were often overwhelmed, and some grandparents felt that they could not provide the support children needed. Many households struggled financially, and some children did not have enough to eat. In some cases, the absence of parents was associated with worse educational outcomes and school dropouts.
     
    Ferrari says if families want to take their children with them, they can be forced to migrate through irregular channels, which can be dangerous. Irregular migrants also remain vulnerable at their destination and must hide from the authorities.
     
    The report finds that for many migrant parents, whether they stayed in their country or crossed the border,  the financial benefits fell short of their expectations. Often, they could not send as much money as they wished – or send it consistently.
     
    With the UN estimating 10.6 million international migrants in Southeast Asia as of 2020, the urgency for targeted, effective action is clear. The report calls on national governments, donors, and international organisations to prioritise the needs and rights of children in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The report provides a series of detailed recommendations aimed at mitigating climate-related impacts, including enhancing community resilience through infrastructure and disaster preparedness, supporting sustainable livelihoods, protecting migrating families, caring for caregivers and children who stay behind, and empowering youth to build a brighter future.
     
    World Vision’s report also underscores the need for child-responsive and mobility-sensitive climate finance. With climate finance set to be the focus of talks at COP29 climate summit, this is a critical opportunity for the New Zealand Government to stand with children and advocate for effective climate finance that meets the scale of need in lower-income countries, ensuring children and their families need not turn to migration to meet their basic needs.
     
    Terry Ferrari, World Vision International’s Regional Leader for East Asia, says: “Urgent steps need to be taken to address the root causes of climate-related migration and protect the future of these young lives. We want all nations to commit to supporting safe, orderly and dignified migration that upholds the rights, well-being and opportunities of migrants, particularly vulnerable children.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First ever UK-hosted meeting of AUKUS Defence Ministers as UK-Australia set to commence defence treaty negotiations

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A landmark AUKUS meeting will be held in the UK today as the Defence Secretary John Healey hosts counterparts from the US and Australia in London.

    • Landmark meeting as Defence Ministers from AUKUS partners meet outside the US for first time.
    • Negotiations set to commence on UK-Australia treaty to define defence relationship for decades.
    • Billions of pounds of UK exports expected to support Australian submarine build, with AUKUS to support over 21,000 UK jobs and helping to grow the economy.

    The meeting will be the first trilateral Defence Ministers AUKUS meeting to be held outside of the United States. Healey will host US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles to discuss the importance of the AUKUS partnership.

    It comes as the UK and Australia have agreed plans to commence negotiations on a bilateral AUKUS treaty between the UK and Australia. The treaty will establish the strategic and operational framework for bilateral cooperation under AUKUS with a focus on the core elements of the delivery of SSN-AUKUS.

    Given the importance of accelerating the design, build and delivery of SSN-AUKUS, Australia and the UK agreed these negotiations should occur at pace and with high priority.

    This first-of-its-kind treaty between the two countries could create a major UK trade boost – it is estimated that facilitating the SSN-AUKUS build in Australia will see billions of pounds of submarine components exported from the UK through our defence industry supply chains. The treaty will lay out the nations’ relationship on submarine co-operation, as work progresses on future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines for the UK and Australia. 

    The three-year anniversary of the landmark AUKUS partnership was marked this month, following shortly after a historic breakthrough in defence trade was reached between the UK, US, and Australia.

    The significant reduction in red tape will cover up to £500 million of UK defence exports each year, and billions of dollars of trade across all three nations, helping boost UK economic growth.

    In a further boost for the UK economy, it is estimated at its peak the future AUKUS attack submarine programme will have more than 21,000 people working on it at UK sites, with the work generating an additional 7,000 skilled roles.

    UK Defence Secretary, John Healey said:

    I’m proud to be the first UK Defence Secretary to host a meeting of AUKUS Defence Ministers in Britain.

    As AUKUS partners, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in an increasingly unstable world. This is a partnership that will boost jobs, growth and prosperity across our three nations, as well as strengthening our collective security.

    I’m delighted that we will soon be commencing negotiations on a bilateral AUKUS treaty with Australia, which will help create a more secure and stable Indo-Pacific for decades to come.

    The treaty work comes off the back of a UK-Australia Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement being signed earlier this year, helping make it easier for our Armed Forces to operate together in each other’s countries and facilitate UK submarine crews visiting Australia as part of the AUKUS partnership.

    Since the AUKUS launch, nearly £10 billion of investment has been allocated towards UK nuclear work and infrastructure:

    • £4 billion to progress SSN-AUKUS UK submarines through design, prototyping and initial purchases.
    • £3 billion for new advanced manufacturing capabilities in Barrow-in-Furness and Derby.
    • £2.4 billion over ten years from Australia to boost Rolls-Royce infrastructure and to share costs on SSN-AUKUS submarine design.

    Through AUKUS Pillar 2, Australia, the UK and the US are pooling the talents of their defence sectors to develop at pace the delivery of advanced capabilities. Four UK companies have been selected by the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to receive a share of £2 million of funding to develop solutions in electromagnetic targeting and protection.

    The competition was run to find low cost, disposable, high volume and highly autonomous electromagnetic technology that can detect enemy actions or protect against them.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1bn investment secures over 300 jobs in North Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and Welsh Government have announced £1 billion of investment into Shotton Mill in North Wales.

    • Major joint investment in Deeside will safeguard 147 jobs and create a further 220.
    • Shotton Mill will become UK’s largest recycled paper manufacturer helping the UK’s transition to net zero and creating jobs in green industries of the future.
    • Stronger relationship between UK and Welsh Government delivers boost to local economy.
    • Announcement comes ahead of Investment Summit which will bring together international business leaders to boost growth.

    A major investment of over £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in Deeside, North Wales, will safeguard 147 jobs and create a further 220 when fully commissioned, the UK and Welsh governments have confirmed today [Thursday 26 September].

    Cabinet ministers from both the UK and Welsh government will visit the historic industrial centre of Wales to meet with members of Eren Holdings, who acquired Shotton Mill in 2021. There, they will hear more about the site’s transformation, which will turn the area into the UK’s largest paper manufacturing site.

    The announcement comes ahead of the Investment Summit next month which will make clear that the UK is “open for business” as the UK government resets relations with trading partners around the globe and creates a pro-business environment that supports innovation and high-quality jobs at home and supports our mission to deliver growth.

    The Welsh Government has provided nearly £13 million in funding alongside £136 million in support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is a massive vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and this government’s plans to make Britain the destination of choice for investments in the industries of tomorrow. This transformative investment will not only support local skilled jobs but raise living standards in the community.

    The deal being announced today is testament to what can be achieved when the Welsh and UK governments work hand in hand. 

    We’re also proud to celebrate National Manufacturing Day, where we recognise the tremendous innovations taking place right across the sector, not least here in Shotton Mill.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    Deeside has a long and proud history as one of Wales’ key industrial centres and this significant investment from our two governments will secure jobs and help bring a prosperous future for the area.

    We have reset the relationship between the UK and Welsh Government. Working together in close partnership we are delivering growth and good jobs to people across Wales.

    Economy, Energy and Planning Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans said:

    This is excellent news for Deeside and the wider Welsh economy and is a prime example of how, through our commitment to a prosperous, green economy we are able to attract investment, and create good, sustainable jobs whilst reducing waste.

    Once fully operational, instead of transporting paper waste many hundreds or thousands of miles overseas to be processed it will be turned into recycled packaging here in Wales. This, alongside the nature of the technology, means a net reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to emissions from 190,000 homes a year.

    Our £13million support will help ensure this is delivered whilst safeguarding and creating local jobs and ensuring that the community is at the heart of the business’ success for many years to come.

    Eren Holding is a leading containerboard and corrugated cardboard manufacturer from Turkey and ranks among the leading producers in Europe. Their plans will see Shotton Mill become the UK’s largest paper-manufacturing campus, boosting UK paper production by recycling wastepaper which would otherwise go overseas or into landfill.

    The plant will produce nearly 100% recycled paper and will have an environmentally friendly production model as it purifies its own wastewater, recycles and reuses it in the system, helping to create good, highly paid jobs in the green industries of the future.

    UKEF supported by issuing a guarantee which allows HSBC and UBS to arrange debt financing for the project. 

    The Eren investment is expected to boost Welsh and UK exports in paper, with UKEF support offered on the understanding that Shotton Mill will export 10% of its turnover within 5 years. This is also expected to reduce UK reliance on imports of paper.

    Hamdullah Eren, Senior board member of the Eren Holding Group said:

    “Production at our new plant at Shotton Mill will be based on state-of-the-art technology, making this the most advanced paper campus in Europe. Our custom-built plant will deliver sophisticated and sustainable manufacturing solutions well into the 21st century. This is the first major Eren Holding cap ex project outside Türkiye and we are delighted to have chosen Deeside as an ideal location to meet our ambitions for growth. We are putting down deep roots on a site of historic industrial significance. We believe this new plant will bring prosperity, leadership in our industry, and long-term employment prospects that will be the pride of Deeside, Wales and Türkiye.”

    Northeast Wales is a key industrial centre, with Deeside being one of the largest industrial parks in Europe. Shotton steelworks once operated on site, with industrial activity at the Mill dating back over 100 years.

    The investment represents a new lease of life for the site and will support economic stability in Deeside and the North Wales area as both governments look to deliver long-term, sustainable, growth right across the UK.

    The announcement also falls on National Manufacturing Day as the government celebrates the nation’s first-class manufacturing industry. The UK government’s upcoming modern industrial strategy will back workers and give international investors the confidence they need to invest in Britain, creating jobs and growth across the UK.

    The UK remains an attractive destination for green investment and this announcement will help create jobs, grow the economy and export high-quality, sustainable goods around the world.

    Notes to Editors

    • More information on the UK’s trading relationship with Turkey can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66e937f47f20ecc7ec3aa226/turkey-trade-and-investment-factsheet-2024-09-20.pdf

    • UK Export Finance (UKEF) is a government department which provides loans, guarantees, and insurance to help UK exporters access international trading opportunities. It is the UK’s export credit agency and works closely with the Department of Business and Trade.

    • UKEF’s support has come in the form of a financing guarantee issued under its Export Development Guarantee (EDG) product, which helps UK exporters to access high-value debt facilities.
    • A financial guarantee is an arrangement which can help a borrower to access debt financing such as loans and lines of credit. It involves a guarantor agreeing to ensure that the lender is repaid if the borrower defaults.
    • In this case, UKEF has provided an 80% guarantee worth £136 million covering a £170 million financing facility being made available by other institutions to Shotton Mill, with HSBC and UBS acting as arranging banks.
    • This is the second time that UK has used its EDG product to support an overseas business looking to increase its UK exporting capacity through an ‘invest-to-export’ arrangement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New support for semiconductor firms to grow, powering growth in £10 billion UK industry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Support for semiconductor scale-ups announced as Lord Vallance kicks off a stakeholder forum ahead of the G7 Semiconductors Points of Contact group in Cambridge.

    16 semiconductor scale up projects backed to advance innovative tech

    • Science Minister Lord Vallance unveils new support for UK semiconductor scale-ups to advance innovations, from phone screens to medical tech
    • Support to help businesses grow unveiled as Minister welcomes leading tech nations to a stakeholder forum preceding the G7 Semiconductors Points of Contact group in Cambridge
    • Comes as new report finds rapidly growing UK semiconductor industry valued at nearly £10 billion and expected to rise this decade

    UK semiconductor firms producing vital technology from phone screens to surgical lasers are being backed in their efforts to scale up into large businesses and drive economic growth.

    The science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance has announced the 16 projects that will win a share of a £11.5 million pot – provided by Innovate UK – that will help drive innovation, as he opened an industry conference of G7 nations today (Thursday 26 September).

    Pioneering projects across the country will help take the UK’s thriving semiconductor industry to the next level as it further enhances everyday life – from more efficient medical devices to energy saving phone screens – and kickstart economic growth.

    This comes shortly before the Government’s International Investment Summit which will showcase the UK as a place to do business. Today’s move is yet another reason for business to choose the UK as a place to invest – as it is backing the industries of the future.

    A new report by Perspective Economics reveals the UK semiconductor sector, which includes over 200 companies in research, design, and manufacturing, is valued at almost £10 billion and could grow up to £17 billion by 2030.

    Semiconductors are small chips at the core of everyday technology from smartphones to renewable energy systems and this support will help to scale up domestic manufacturing and strengthen supply chain resilience, so the UK is fit for the future in a global industry.

    The funding comes as the G7 Semiconductors Point of Contact group kicks off with a stakeholder forum at major UK tech company Arm’s HQ in Cambridge, where member states, research organisations, and industry representatives are discussing key issues affecting the global semiconductor industry, like supporting early-stage innovation and sustainability.

    Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

    Semiconductors are an unseen but vital component in so many of the technologies we rely on in our lives and backing UK innovators offers a real opportunity to growth these firms into industry leaders, strengthening our £10 billion sector and ensuring it drives economic growth.

    Our support in these projects will promote critical breakthroughs such as more efficient medical devices that could significantly lower costs and faster manufacturing processes to improve productivity.

    Hosting the G7 semiconductors Points of Contact group is also a chance to showcase the UK’s competitive and growing sector and make clear our commitment to keeping the UK at the forefront of advancing technology.

    Among the funded projects, receiving a share of £11.5 million, is Vector Photonics Limited in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, which aims to enhance the power and cost-effectiveness of blue light lasers in everyday technology by using gallium nitride, a high-performance material. Blue lasers are key in devices like medical equipment, quantum displays and car headlights.

    Another project, led by Quantum Advanced Solutions Ltd with the University of Cambridge, is developing advanced shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors which improve vision in critical sectors like defence, by supporting surveillance in challenging conditions in low-visibility environments, such as during adverse weather conditions or atmospheric disturbances. The project looks to simplify production using innovative quantum dot materials – tiny semiconductor particles that emit light at specific wavelengths – offering higher sensitivity and performance, cutting costs and making this advanced technology more accessible to multiple sectors including manufacturing and healthcare.

    Andrew Tyrer, Deputy Director, Electronics, Sensors and Photonics, Innovate UK, said:

    Innovate UK’s investment in this programme directly supports the National Semiconductor Strategy launched in 2023 and aims to ensure the UK’s place in the global landscape.

    Iain Mauchline Innovation Lead – Electronics, Sensors, and Photonics at Innovate UK, added:

    It has been recognised that semiconductors are key enablers for the UK ambitions across all critical technology areas. Funding these diverse projects highlights the strengths and depth of the UK’s semiconductor ecosystem.

    The G7 Semiconductors Point of Contact Group, established under Italy’s G7 Presidency earlier this year, continues its mission to address issues impacting the semiconductor industry, including early-stage innovation, crisis coordination, sustainability, and the impact of government policies and practices.

    Rene Haas, CEO, Arm said: 

    It is an honour to host the G7 Semiconductor working group at Arm’s global headquarters in Cambridge to advance collective efforts from industry, research organizations, and governments to increase supply chain resilience, security, and energy efficiency.  We look forward to continued partnership with the G7 representatives and the UK government as we work to enable innovation and realize the full potential of AI.” 

    This meeting immediately follows the OECD Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network gathering, where countries and stakeholders shared strategies for strengthening global semiconductor supply chains and addressing shared challenges in the semiconductor industry.

    The UK is playing a key role in the OECD’s efforts to unite government and industry in navigating the complexities of the global chip supply chain.

    Charles Sturman, CEO of TechWorks said:

    This report represents the first detailed economic study of the UK Semiconductor sector in many years. I am proud to have been part of this important work and pleased with the results. Key findings here show that the UK already sees significant revenue from the sector and, by building on strong innovation, we can see significant opportunity to increase this together with our ~2% share of global semiconductor revenues; ultimately creating much more than the 86,000 jobs currently in the wider economy. The industry is set to grow rapidly in the next decade and the right mix of scale-up support and industrial policy can secure future growth of the UK semiconductor sector.

    Notes to editors

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Gartner Announces ReimagineHR Conference 2024 in Sydney

    Source: Gartner – IT Research

    Headline: Gartner Announces ReimagineHR Conference 2024 in Sydney

    What: Gartner ReimagineHR Conference 2024
    When: December 4-5, 2024
    Where: Hilton Sydney, Australia

    Details: Organizations are on the cusp of a major reset with expectations that new technology-fueled business models will unlock productivity and innovation, while AI-powered tools will reduce drudgery and unleash new capabilities. The hope is that productivity and sustainability pressures will reinforce autonomy and flexibility, making work both more meaningful and better.

    These promises also prompt the question: Better for whom?

    HR leaders play a pivotal role in delivering the new work in new ways that ensures employers and employees succeed together. To deliver, HR leaders must help organizations move beyond asking “who wins” to reshape employers’ and employees’ common currency: the work itself.

    At Gartner ReimagineHR Conference 2024 in Sydney, Gartner experts will come together to deliver actionable insights to help HR leaders redefine the what, why and how of work for leaders and employees.

    The conference agenda will deliver insights and technology optimization guidance for chief human resources officers (CHROs) and HR leaders across a range of pressing topics such as the future of work, employee experience, talent acquisition and more. 

    Keynote Speakers

    • Gartner Opening Keynote: Making Work Better – A Path to Shared Success for Employers and Employees with Jessica Knight, Vice President, Research and Harsh Kundulli, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner.

    • Guest Keynote: Crafting success: Leadership lessons from Joe Brumm, creator of Bluey

    • Guest Keynote: Digital Zen – Mastering Wellbeing in a Constantly Connected World with Rahaf Harfoush, Digital Anthropologist and Best-selling Author

    Exhibitor Showcase: The exhibitor showcase will bring together leading HR decision makers and buyers who are actively seeking solutions. A listing of current exhibitors can be found on the Exhibitor Directory.

    Media Registration: Full-time journalists from editorial publications are eligible for a press pass. Please contact Emma Keen for details and registration requests: emma.keen@gartner.com.

    Social Media: Join the discussion on social media using #GartnerHR.

    For complete conference details, please visit the Gartner ReimagineHR Conference 2024 website.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rubio Responds to WSJ on U.S. Trade with China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    ICYMI: Rubio Responds to WSJ on U.S. Trade with China

    Sep 25, 2024 | Press Releases

    Letter to the Editor: On U.S. Trade Policy with China

    U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)

    September 25, 2024

    Wall Street Journal

    …When our leaders established so-called free trade with state-subsidized Chinese companies, 2.4 million Americans lost their jobs…. It took policy makers over a decade to catch up with reality, but their efforts to stem Beijing’s anti-market onslaught are now accepted as common sense.

    Mr. Furman hearkens to a different era. He asserts that the Biden administration “was wrong to keep and add to the tariffs Mr. Trump placed on China” and celebrates how Vice President Kamala Harris “doesn’t seem enthusiastic” about tough trade policies. Does Mr. Furman mean for us to ignore the past 25 years?

    Allowing China to acquire supply-chain dominance clearly threatens U.S. national security. The Chinese regime hasn’t been shy about this: …Last month it began cutting America off from antimony, a metal crucial to the construction of bullets, missiles and nuclear weapons. Mr. Furman offers no solution to this threat.

    Those who favor re-establishing so-called free trade with China are welcome to make their case. But the burden is on them to show it is in America’s interest to let a communist dictatorship run rampant over the U.S. economy….

    Read the rest here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Merkley Push to Ensure Health Insurers Cover and Provide Lactation Care for Pregnant and Nursing Parents

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    September 25, 2024

    Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans are required to cover lactation services—but many still fail to comply

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called on the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits and Security Administration (EBSA) to issue strong recommended guidance for private health insurance plans and insurers to comply with federal law by covering in-person lactation support, supplies and counseling for pregnant and nursing parents across the country. Most health plans are required to cover lactation services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senators’ letter expresses concerns that many still fail to comply with federal law, making it harder for pregnant and nursing parents to access quality lactation care.

    In their letter, the Senators wrote: “Ensuring that new mothers and the more than 10,000 babies born each day in the United States receive critical preventive care, including comprehensive lactation care, is one of our top priorities… We respectfully request that the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits and Security Administration (EBSA) utilize its existing authority to issue strong, recommended guidance for the legally required coverage of in-person lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers for pregnant and nursing parents across the country, as outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).”

    The Senators continued: “… the ACA mandated that all non-grandfathered, fully insured and self-insured plans in individual, small group and large group markets are required to cover certain preventive health services without cost-sharing for enrollees. These preventive health services include lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers. Despite this mandate, many plans fail to cover and provide adequate access to lactation care.”

    Along with Duckworth and Merkley, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

    A full copy of the letter is available below and on Senator Duckworth’s website:

    Dear Assistant Secretary Gomez:

    We write to express our concerns regarding coverage for lactation services by group health plans and health insurance issuers covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). We respectfully request that the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits and Security Administration (EBSA) utilize its existing authority to issue strong, recommended guidance for the legally required coverage of in-person lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers for pregnant and nursing parents across the country, as outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

    On November 18, 2022, Senator Duckworth wrote to the EBSA to voice concerns that insurers were failing to comply with the ACA’s requirements. In response to that correspondence, on December 22, 2022, the EBSA stated they, “share your concern about consumer-reported denials of coverage for lactation care by group health plans and health insurance issuers,” and noted that the EBSA, “work[s] diligently to ensure that coverage of breastfeeding services and supplies is available as required by the ACA and its implementing regulations, and we take the enforcement of these requirements very seriously.”

    As you know, the ACA mandated that all non-grandfathered, fully insured and self-insured plans in individual, small group and large group markets are required to cover certain preventive health services without cost-sharing for enrollees. These preventive health services include lactation support, supplies and counseling from trained providers.

    Despite this mandate, many plans fail to cover and provide adequate access to lactation care. Our constituents have experienced several barriers to accessing quality lactation care imposed by their health plans or insurers that violate the ERISA and ACA, including:

    1. Inadequate Provider Networks: Some plans do not have enough in-network lactation care providers to cover the needs of enrollees, demonstrating an unwillingness to provide adequate access to such care, as mandated by the ACA;
    2. Failure to Cover Out-of-Network Provider Services: Some plans require cost-sharing or do not pay for claims from out-of-network lactation care providers, despite their own network’s inadequate coverage. This is in direct conflict with applicable regulations that require plans to cover items or services rendered by an out-of-network provider when the plan does not have an in-network provider that can furnish the item or service;
    3. Lack of In-Person Service Coverage: Though lactation care can be provided in person or via telemedicine, there are distinct advantages that come with each type of visit and therefore should be covered equally. From our understanding, some plan’s in-network lactation care providers primarily offer services via telemedicine and do not cover in-person visits in a similar manner. Given their small number of in-network providers, inability to offer adequate in-person services and refusal to pay claims from out-of-network providers who offer in-person services, these plans have effectively created a de facto telemedicine-only network for lactation care. While plans may engage in “reasonable medical management” of lactation care under the ACA, de facto prohibitions on the modality used to provide care are contrary to the law. In a 2015 guidance document, DOL addressed a similar situation, finding that plans limiting coverage of lactation care to services provided during an inpatient hospital admission did not constitute “reasonable medical management.” Similarly, limiting the availability of in-person lactation care by creating a telemedicine-only network is equally problematic under the ACA.

    Plans have also imposed referral requirements and have failed to create directories of in-network providers, which also curtail the ACA’s mandate and inhibit access to crucial preventive care for new and expecting mothers and their babies.

    As such, we respectfully request that the EBSA utilize its oversight powers to engage with plans about the concerns described above, including potential violations of the ERISA. We also request that the EBSA provide further sub-regulatory guidance to clarify that plans must demonstrate sufficient coverage for all lactation care modalities, including in-person lactation care. Such guidance should provide information on how plans should form and demonstrate a sufficient network of lactation care providers, and, in the absence of a sufficient network, reimburse out-of-network claims.

    Ensuring that new mothers and the more than 10,000 babies born each day in the United States receive critical preventive care, including comprehensive lactation care, is one of our top priorities. With our joint commitment to the health and well-being of new mothers and babies in mind, we look forward to your response.

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –